John Holland, who’s running for School Committee, said Monday that he has the endorsement of Joe Grassi, who was on the committee from 1993 to 2009.

“I believe John is the only candidate that can offer a critical outside perspective to continue reforms to the Cambridge Public Schools. He will question ineffective practices, provide budgetary scrutiny and push for improvements in academic achievement for all students,” Grassi said. “I believe his background in management and human resources will be an asset to our school system and the School Committee, I believe John has the best skills needed now to help guide the schools in a new direction.”

Holland, a staffing manager at a Merck subsidiary in Billerica who has a child in the Haggerty School, has said in candidate forums that he is less interested in education policy than in ensuring the school district’s accounting and management is handled responsibly. The district famously spends $25,737 per student each year, which some compare unfavorably with other communities when noting Cambridge students’ persistent achievement gap.

“I am not looking to run the schools. I am here to make sure the schools are well run,” is a common line from forums, and he identifies himself as the candidate “dedicated to achievement, responsibility and transparency.”

“I am honored and humbled to receive Joe’s endorsement. He has done great work on the School Committee and continues to do great work within the community,” Holland said.

The election is Nov. 8.

This story used quotes from a press release.